What bit to grind with

[taracor]

Yeah, I know not to grind with the face. I've never though of using more than one cutting wheel at a time. That's a good idea. I am still having some trouble getting the fine edges because the stones get ground down really fast. Any more tips would be great, thanks.

[bumber]

Two things. One you said your tool turns at 16,000rpms , I know my grinder and dremel both sit at 35,000rpm so i dont know if its turning too slow as to how hard ur pressing. Two how hard ARE you pressing, because you say the wheels are wasting away. Always let the tool do the work, and always keep the tool moving.
When im doin finer cuts i hold the dremel in my left hand and with the right hold my pick,pressing the pick into the wheel. And I'd only use one wheel at a time because if one breaks it will leave a half disk or whatever which the next time around will hit and make it jump. Just never look directly straight into the cutting path and nothing should really hit you in the face. Hope this helps

[cjames73]

.......the stones get ground down really fast.......

what are the stones made from? aluminium oxide should cut well but should be used at about 30.000rpm.

tungsten carbide cutters (not grinders) will cut without any problems at about 12.000rpm

[bumber]

What about those AL oxides at 35,000 will they work ive never used em but got a case of them. Will I have to press lighter than at 30k? I didnt think they would work so i never used em(u mean grinders right not wheels)

[cjames73]

i cant see why they wouldnt work at 35,000.
its hard to say exactly how hard you should press, start light and increase pressure until you get a decent cut. try to use all of the stone otherwise you'll wear grooves into it.
and yes i mean grinding stones not wheels.

[taracor]

No, the tools top speed is 16,000 rpm. I don't push very hard at all, just enough to keep the bit steady on the pick. The cutting wheels aren't what get worn down, but the stones are. The stone I am using now is full of grooves, I've been trying to even it more by cutting on the non grooved parts, but that is just wearing more grooves into it. I am using different angles to fix this too. Also, yes the stones I am using are aluminum oxide.

cjames, I am using what had "tungsten carbide cutter" on the box. It just looks like the shaft with spirals cut into the end. I doesn't cut well at all.

[bumber]

Im not trying to be mean but make sure you READ the post correctly. I said you were using 16,000 then u said no im using 16,000. Also he said it is good for 12,000rpm you may be burning up the cutter head just stick with the cutting wheels for rough cuts and the stone to smooth it up. Also if your looking at the pick like this | you want the stone to be like -- that way you wont make grooves in the stone, but make sure you keep it moving because this can make divots in your material.

[freakparade3]

Please do not use 4 to 5 cutting wheels at a time. They are not intended for this. When they shatter you will just have 4 to 5 times the debris flying at you. As stated in an earlier post, do not force the cutting wheel, let the tool do the work. When the cutting wheels fly apart in is most often from the user forcing it. Cutting wheels are not made to cut curves, they are intended to make straight cuts. Just a few tips. If you are planning on making alot of tools I'd highly recommend getting a bench grinder, it will be cheaper in the long run than constantly buying dremel bits and cutting wheels.

[taracor]

The reason I re-stated the top speed of my dremel is because someone asked.

One you said your tool turns at 16,000rpms , I know my grinder and dremel both sit at 35,000rpm so i dont know if its turning too slow as to how hard ur pressing.

Using multiple cutting wheels seemed a bit strange to me too. I managed to make a deep hook pick with the cutting wheels, so I guess curves are possible, but that was a LOT of work. I would like to get a bench grinder, but I live in an apartment so I don't have a garage or anything to set it up in. The small grinder I use outside so it isn't too much of a problem.


Also, bumper, I try to orient my work that way, but sometimes either the pick handle or tip get in the way when I am grinding the shaft so I have to reorient my work.

[bumber]

what I was saying about your speed is if your tool turns at 16,000 and the cutting tool requires at least 25,000(most cutting wheels) then its not turning fast enough for it to cut properly,so when u press it to the pick the pick cuts the wheel. Thats the same for sanding stones and cutting tips(tungsten one) if you go too fast it will be hurting the tool instead of grinding the pick. I know grinders are cheaper but I like the sharper cut of a dremel and my grinder wheel gets all rounded(than I have to use a shaper which takes off enough of the front to equal the roundness being sharp, whichs makes it off balance......blahblahblah) Its all about preferance, So I hope we dont discourage you in your quest And by all means ask questions tell us what u think and become a part of our world

[Shrub]

As freak said NEVER stack wheels it is one of the most dangourus things you can do on a grinder other than the normal safety issues,

taracor, from reading your last post i now know you are doing it wrong and useing the wrong bits, if you re-read properly my earlier posts on wheel selection you should find what your doing wrong,

In the mean time i will attempt to have a quick search for some bits to explain this to you as you either didnt read my post or didnt understand it as your still useing the wrong wheels,

If you did understand it then go get some, youve been told the best way to do it so why keep useing the crap you are,

Ill post up in a sec some pics to explain your mix up or what i think is your mix up,

[Shrub]

This is a stone cutting disc, Link

This is a fibre cutting disc, Link

You should only be useing the fibre cutting disc and grinding on the edge of it,

I assume your useing the grinding wheels like this, Link which isnt the best for pick making,


Use the reinforced cutting discs as youve been told, use these to cut away the material,

I strongly advice that you forget the dremel type tool and buy a cheap bench grinder,

[bumber]

Why does everyone(mostly) HATE the dremel ? I love this little guy. Everyone says they are exspensive to maintain, I can make 3-4 picks(rough and fine cuts than sand paper) with ONE cutoff wheel (shrubs link to "stone cuttin disc") And a pack of 25ish is only $5. I dont know if its the cost of material that set some people back, but this is my tool of choice.

[freakparade3]

Why does everyone(mostly) HATE the dremel ? I love this little guy. Everyone says they are exspensive to maintain, I can make 3-4 picks(rough and fine cuts than sand paper) with ONE cutoff wheel (shrubs link to "stone cuttin disc") And a pack of 25ish is only $5. I dont know if its the cost of material that set some people back, but this is my tool of choice.

I don't hate the Dremel. I have one, I use it alot. My point was that far better tools are available for making picks, and that if you don't know how to properly use a Dremel and it's accessories, they can be very dangerous.

[dab]

you can always sand metal, use the dremel drum style rough grit, it will reduce the risk of breaking a tool ( like using a reinforced cutoff wheel)

http://i11.tinypic.com/44a3h2t.jpg




Silly picture size made to a link